Reno's Candidacy: Love It Or Loathe It

Jacqueline Martin may have seen it all and heard it all as a hard-nosed television news producer, but there is one person who can still thrill her: Janet Reno.

Martin brought her own camera to the set of 4 Sunday Morning so she could have her picture taken with Reno, the former U.S. attorney general who is considering a run for governor.

The CBS 4 producer's reaction is not unique. As Reno travels through Florida to explore her candidacy, dozens line up to shake her hand or snap pictures with her.

That's why Democrats are so intrigued by the idea of her candidacy.

"She has real star quality that sets her off from the field," said Mitch Ceasar, chairman of Broward County's Democrats.

The other Democrats who are considering taking on Gov. Jeb Bush next year are little known compared to Reno. But that also could be the problem: Reno is polarizing.

Some voters like what she did as attorney general under President Clinton. Other voters can't stand her.

"We Democrats need this election to be a referendum on the last four years of Jeb Bush's administration as governor, not the last eight years of Janet Reno's administration as attorney general. If the focus is Reno, we lose," said Russ Klenet, a key Democratic Party fund-raiser and lobbyist.

But the focus was on Janet Reno, not Jeb Bush, during the half-hour 4 Sunday Morning taping on Friday. Host Elliott Rodriguez repeatedly probed Reno about her conduct as attorney general.

What about Waco, Texas, where an FBI siege ended in the deaths of more than 80 cult members and children?

"I look back and try to figure out what the right answer was. We'll never know what the right answer was," Reno said.

How about EliM-an GonzM-alez, the Cuban child seized by federal agents in Miami and eventually returned to Cuba?

"I believe in all my heart [in] returning a boy to his father," she said.

What can you say about Timothy McVeigh, the convicted Oklahoma City bomber?

Reno refused to answer because the case is still active.

The TV appearance was one of a handful of public events Reno has scheduled as she considers whether to run.

Her exploratory effort has all the feel of a campaign that has already started -- except that she has no handlers and drives herself to events in her red Ford F-150 pickup.

"I'd like to know what's on people's mind before I decide [whether to run]," Reno told the Sun-Sentinel before her CBS 4 taping. "I'm talking to public officials, people I've known, people who want to talk to me."

She has picked her appearances with her practiced skill as a veteran politician who spent 15 years as Miami-Dade County's elected state attorney.

Reno first spoke to the Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade, in Democrat-rich Sunny Isles. Today she will attend the monthly meeting of the Council of Presidents, a group of 44 Democratic club leaders who are key to getting out the vote in all-important Broward County.

"I'm thoughtfully and carefully considering this race by talking to people and seeing what they are concerned with," she said. "If I run, I want to do so on real issues."

She mentioned two issues of prime concern -- education and the environment.

Reno said she had no deadline for making a decision about running.

Compared to Reno, the other Democrats considering taking on Bush are making their decisions quietly. Two hopefuls from Tampa -- U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and Bill McBride, a lawyer who has headed the state's largest law firm -- toured South Florida this week and received almost no media attention.

Reno has been eagerly sought by Sunday morning television shows, CNN and National Public Radio, all of which she appeared on this week. Theoretically, she will need less money to run because she has such great name recognition.

Reno also appeals to many women who view the former attorney general as someone who could shatter the glass ceiling.

"Janet Reno gets the Democratic votes," Klenet said. "She will never get the Republican votes. The question is whether Janet Reno, who few people are indifferent to, can get those swing votes and independents in the middle that will decide this race."

Buddy Nevins can be reached at bnevins@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4571.